Novel Agent to Promote Lung Development and Treat Lung Disease
Background:
The National Cancer Institute's
Laboratory of Metabolism is seeking statements of capability or
interest from parties interested in collaborative research to
further develop, evaluate, or commercialize a novel lung-enriched
cytokine-like molecule as a clinical tool to treat and/or prevent
lung diseases.
Technology:
Secretoglobin family 3A member 2
(SCGB3A2) is a member of the Secretoglobin gene superfamily of
secretory proteins that is normally expressed in the epithelial
cells of the trachea, bronchus, and bronchioles, and is known for
its anti-inflammatory activity.
NIH scientists have recently discovered that SCGB3A2 has surprising
cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic activity which make it a
suitable agent for the treatment of lung disease and promotion of
lung development. SCGB3A2 administration ex vivo and in
vivo was shown to enhance cell proliferation and branching
morphogenesis. These results indicate that SCGB3A2 may be an
attractive candidate for therapeutic use in the treatment of
several lung diseases that involve tissue injury or inflammation,
such as, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema and
cancer. Additionally, SCGB3A2 therapy is envisioned for use as a
lung development agent in premature newborn infants born with
underdeveloped lungs.
Data also exists which suggests that SCGB3A2 has the potential to
inhibit the lung damage that results from treatment with certain
anti-cancer agents such as bleomycin. The protein was shown to
suppress or repair bleomycin induced DNA damage/fibrosis when given
before, or together with bleomycin treatment in in vitro
organ culture, and in an in vivo mouse model of pulmonary
fibrosis.
Further R&D
Needed:
- Evaluate the effect of SCGB3A2 on the development of emphysema
in a smoking model mouse
- Evaluate the effect of SCGB3A2 on lung maturation using
pregnant larger animals
- Evaluate the effect of SCGB3A2 on the development and/or
severity of lung damage resulting from treatment with various
anti-cancer agents in larger animals.
R&D Status: Ex
vivo and
in vivo mouse studies conducted.
IP Status:
- U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/847,747 filed 27 Sep
2006
- PCT Application No. PCT/US2007/079771 filed 27 Sep 2007
Value Proposition
Solution:
- A novel growth factor and anti-apoptotic agent that has the
potential to promote lung development and treat and prevent
numerous lung diseases, including pneumonia, asthma, emphysema and
cancer
- Ability to promote lung development in premature newborn
infants born with underdeveloped lungs
- Potential to inhibit lung damage resulting from treatment with
various anti-cancer agents
Contact
Information:
John D. Hewes, Ph.D., NCI
Technology Transfer Center
Phone: 301-435-3121
E-mail: Hewesj@mail.nih.gov
Reference: #668 LS
Posted 05/08/2008